FORT McMURRAY, Alberta — Three Indigenous leaders have been announced as emcees for the upcoming Athabasca Tribal Council Cultural Festival. Holly Fortier, Miranda Beaton, and Leroy Fontaine will serve as Masters of Ceremonies, guiding attendees through a weekend celebrating the Indigenous cultures of Treaty 8 in the Wood Buffalo region.
Holly Fortier, a Cree and Dene woman from Fort McKay First Nation, is a businesswoman, mother, and Kookum. She specializes in storytelling, offering courses through her company, Nisto Consulting, and producing films with Two Canoes Media that explore challenging narratives.
Miranda Beaton, a Dene woman from Fort McKay First Nation, was recognized in 2022 as one of YMM’s Top 50 Under 50. She is a Senior Human Resources Advisor for her Nation, serves on the board of the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo, and is a committee member of the Wood Buffalo Community Foundation.
Leroy Fontaine, from Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, entered the CFL draft in 2010 after earning two college diplomas and a bachelor’s degree. Over the past decade, he has worked as a firefighter, motivational speaker, and advocate for Indigenous culture in the workplace. As an Indigenous social media influencer, Fontaine will connect with the younger generation at the festival.
The event will be held at Snye Point Park from September 12 to 15, the site where Treaty 8 was signed in 1899. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the treaty, adding historical significance to the festival.